The July 4 week is often a time to celebrate for citizens of the United States. However, that week holds tearful memories for the family and friends of 37 passengers who perished when USAir Flight 1016 crashed at the Charlotte Douglas Airport July 2, 1994. The 25th anniversary of the tragic event is especially important to Columbia City Councilman Howard […]
Papa Jazz celebrates 40 years
Over the course of four decades, the name may have changed, but the mission has remained the same—to be one of the best record shops in the Southeast. Papa Jazz, known briefly as Vinyl Junkie and Rich’s Record Exchange, has been a staple in the Five Points area, selling new and used records and CDs to customers in Columbia and […]
Healing hands massage therapist gets to hearts by volunteering
One can see the change in demeanor by military Veteran James Davis, a patient in the Community Living Center (CLC) of the Columbia VA Health Care System (VAHCS), as Army Veteran Terry Smith, a licensed massage therapist, begins to massage muscles around his neck and shoulders. “ That feel soooo good,” Davis says. Smith is known around the Columbia VAHCS […]
Researching old newspapers is a click away
Several times a week I receive a phone call or email from folks interested in learning more about their home or business. They are intrigued by its architecture, landscape, or a story conveyed by a former owner, resident, or neighbor. Sometimes, they find an artifact stored in a basement, squirreled away in an attic, tucked in a closet, and even […]
Greater focus on financial literacy will help young people get ahead
Most of us probably remember learning things in high school that we rarely if ever use as adults—like how to calculate the area of a trapezoid or how to solve a quadratic equation. Yet nearly all of us do, at some point, need to take out a loan, carefully manage our finances to survive lean times, or save for retirement. […]
Quirky Crimes in the Capital City
Forest Acres Forest Drive: A woman was arrested at 1 p.m. Monday after she tried to sneak a pair of hot pink “skinny jeans”out of a department store in a black purse. The 25-year-old woman, according to witnesses, picked out the pants and held them up to her body in front of a mirror before ripping off all the tags […]
Do not repeal Affordable Care Act
People of the United States—you must NOT allow the Affordable Care Act to be repealed! Donald Trump has never shopped in a grocery store, has never driven a car, and has never worried about his family’s medical care. Why would he care about those of us who do? He knows nothing about having a job and supporting a family on […]
The Great Pretender: ROBOCALLS at the end of the line?
ASK US AT THE STARI thought I had taken steps to reduce unwanted solicitation calls, but they keep on ringing. Any new tips or news on eliminating them? Yes, it’s the bane of our daily life. You’re expecting a call on a business matter, so you pick up the phone without thinking, only to realize you’re being bothered again by a robocaller. But take […]
Shandon Auto Crime Wave Meeting
To cut down on auto thefts and break-ins, the Shandon Neighborhood Council is meeting Monday, July 29, at 6 p.m. at Heyward Street United Methodist Church. Deborah Thomas, president of SNC, says Columbia Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook and other officers will be there, along with City Manager Teresa Wilson and other city staff. Columbia City Council members Tameika Isaac […]
In Praise of Tomboys
It’s not a criticism; It’s an observationLena Headey, Queen Cersei from Game of Thrones, recently referred to her childhood self as a tomboy. I waited for the backlash for using such an inappropriate word. When none arrived, I wondered if maybe tomboy is still appropriate. Can’t imagine the Proper Word Police missed it. Tomboy was once common, when gender roles were more traditional. Now the world […]
